A trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp is a generally new program in the Annapurna area. It gives us a chance to escape the group and simply appreciate characteristic views and social conditions of rural Nepal. With astounding perspectives of Mt. Machhapuchhre and adjacent Annapurna Himalayas trekking this Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek has proven to have a lot of potential. By many measures, it is deemed next popular trekking route in this region.

The trek begins as soon as you land in Kathmandu. A quick sightseeing tour of the valley including the tour of seven UNESCO World Heritage sites is followed by a briefing of your trek ahead. You will drive to Pokhara on the following day. Khande, a short drive of 45 minutes from Pokhara, is the place from where our trekking starts. Gradually taking after the trail, we head towards Pothana appreciating the common lifestyle and close-ups of wonderful towns. We then head through delightful rhododendron forests and stay overnight at local camps called as Kokar in the regional dialect. As we leave on the following day, we move towards the lower base camp which gives us a few but peaceful views of Mt. Fishtail and other snowcapped mountains. At last, on the seventh day of our outing, we trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp from where you will have prominent and staggering views of the Himalayas at 4,450 m. Later in the day we return to high camp for our stay overnight and then we descend gradually downhill. Along the way we pass through the quiet villages of Siding, Lwang and Khora Muk. As we near the end of our journey, we take a short drive to Pokhara.

The base camp of Mardi Himal can be visited during any time of the year, however, the most preferred season are in spring when rhododendron forests are in full bloom and in fall when the skies get clearer each day revealing the majestic mountains in the horizon. Much trekking experience is not required but the trek demands a bit of physical fitness and energy

After breakfast, drive for about 40 mints to Kande on Pokhara Baglung highway. The trail climbs for about 1 ½ hrs to the ridge at 2,060 m. The clearing in the forest with lodge settlement is known as ‘Australian camp’. The place is scenic with the panoramic view of Annapurna range and Pokhara valley. The trail further winds through the rhododendron forest to the mountain pass called ‘Deurali’. Deurali is overlooking into the Modi Khola valley wedged between Annapurna South and Mardi Himal / Mt Fishtail.

After spending beautiful morning in the ridge top village of Deurali, we head off the main Annapurna trekking trail and follow the forested ridge to Forest camp. Since this is new trekking destination, there are no teahouses along the way and we need to carry pack lunch and sufficient water. The day’s walk in the rhododendron forest is beautiful with gradual uphill.

The trail gradually climbs through the rhododendron forest following the ridge. Low camp has got couple of tea houses in the clearing of the forest. The view of Mt Fishtail and Mardi Himal appears much closer. You find yourself closer to clear blue sky with view of layers of Himalayan foothills and sweeping valley towards south. Note: You can trek 1 more hr to Badal Danda (Cloud Hill) above the tree line in consent of guide for better view. There is only one lodge in Badal Danda.

The trail further climbs along the ridge towards Mardi Himal and Mt Fishtail. From Badal Danda, we leave the tree line and arrive in shrubby alpine zone. Snowcapped peaks of Annapurna South, Huinchuli and Fishtail looms in a distance above deep valley on the either side. High camp is a small pasture after the climb with 3 lodges. Here you find yourself above the clouds and closer to snowcapped peaks.

The day trip is more difficult than other days with steep climb and longer walk. Trail becomes more vertiginous at some points with uneven and steep rocky steps. The first steep climb will take about 2 hrs to the ridge top which is marked as MBC (Mardi Himal Base Camp). However the real base camp will take about another 2 hrs along the ridge. The view is amazing all along the ridge. While Mardi Himal and Mt Fishtail appear right above us, view of Annapurna I, Gangapurna and Annapurna III also appears at a distance

Even though the scenery is stationary, season and sunlight makes it different and interesting. Spend another morning watching the change that the sunrays bring. Walk down to forest camp after breakfast and spend the night there.

The trail climbs down steeply through rhododendron and Maple forest to the permanent settlements closer to valley basin. Lwang is a self sufficient Gurung village with rich culture and happy people. The village is the best place to watch Nepalese countryside lifestyle and enjoy the organic food. The village farmers also grow organic tea in 50 hectors of land. Farmers offer homestay accommodation. The waterfall in the outskirt of the village offers one of the most exciting canyoning adventures.